Diagnosing auto issues

**trd_st184** · 04-12-2012, 10:28 PM

Hi all,

I have to admit that I am far from experienced in auto transmissions and my most recent car purchase has ended up in the garage after only 2 weeks of owning it.

The car has tiptronic auto as an option but is used predominently in drive

This is in my Toyota Caldina st215

The car has felt a bit low on power when accelerating lately, when driving it home the other week the car would go from 1st to 3rd, I can get it to go from 1st to second but I need to use the tiptronic selector. When in 3rd I can hear a whining sound and it feels like the transmisson is slipping completely in this gear.

When coming up to a stop the car also jolts into 1st gear, if I remember correctly it should only get into first when I come to a complete stop.

I checked the fluids and it was still at the same level. Was wondering if there is anything else that could be causing the issue that would be able to be checked before pulling the transmission out?

Thanks all

**lexsmaz** · 04-12-2012, 11:09 PM

The Non selecting could be a couple of things, but if its slipping its not a good sign & will need removing ..

I have heard the Caldina Auto boxes are pretty poor on the longevity stakes & shit themselves even on lowish km cars ..

**trd_st184** · 04-12-2012, 11:53 PM

Yeah they seem to have a reputation for this, seems like I may go for the Manual conversion after all. Its a pity that the auto ended up going so soon after getting it, all the usual checks were done and the car drove great on the test run. I have known the seller for a while now as hes a mate of mine and know he wouldn't have sold it with the knowledge of any issues.

Thanks for the info

**lexsmaz** · 05-12-2012, 10:41 AM

I'm sure your mate would not have known, they seem to go bad over a very short period ..

Should maybe get a quote from a Auto place as to what it might cost to fix it ?

As the manual conversion could cost a bit as i think they run different diff ratios too, etc, etc, might be cheaper / easier to buy a good manual car ??

**trd_st184** · 05-12-2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by lexsmaz

I'm sure your mate would not have known, they seem to go bad over a very short period ..

Should maybe get a quote from a Auto place as to what it might cost to fix it ?

As the manual conversion could cost a bit as i think they run different diff ratios too, etc, etc, might be cheaper / easier to buy a good manual car ??

Yeah the guys a top bloke, I could never fault him. I was very lucky to find a gearbox conversion kit with literally everything I need to undertake the conversion including the rear diff so I may end up going for that option once and for all.

Thanks for your help man. as you say though, even putting another auto in will be likely to go eventually too

**thechuckster** · 05-12-2012, 02:22 PM

Didn't Norton convert his caldina from auto to manual? perhaps he still has the box?

btw, auto fluid is checked when warm and running and in N or P (i think)? And what does it smell like (like new auto fluid or baked/burnt fluid from a diff)?

edit: are you running in some enhanced traction mode (snow ?) that has the front/rear locked up and preferring to drive at low speeds?